Dragons Aren’t Useless But
Not solely have two KEMCO video games appeared over the house of a few weeks, however they each characteristic the phrase “Dragon” within the title. On the again of Dragon Takers, does that imply we’re about to see dragons turn into the brand new cyberpunk? Effectively, it’s tough to say based mostly on the looks of two video games, however right here’s hoping, eh?
Now, I’m positive it is going to come as a shock to completely nobody that Useless Dragons, the sport we’re being supplied by KEMCO this time, is a retro styled JRPG, only for a change, and so the one query that is still to be answered is that this: is it a sport value taking part in, or are you higher off reaching for one of many many different KEMCO video games which are kicking round on the Xbox retailer?
Effectively, include me to a world the place Dragons should not fairly as lifeless as everybody hoped…
You already know the KEMCO drill…
Retro Visuals and a Distinctive Battle System
You’ll uncover that the presentation of Useless Dragons may be very a lot according to all the opposite KEMCO video games which have come to market over time. Meaning you’ll discover a retro model, anime model characters and the necessity to go wandering round a world map/dungeon. There may be completely nothing new right here within the presentation, other than the best way the battle display screen is introduced. You see, right here the change appears to be that the characters you management all get pleasure from combating in single file, one after the opposite. This does look bizarre, till you realise that there’s really a sport mechanic tied to this structure. After which it nonetheless seems to be odd.
The audio can also be minimal. Other than the battle music and the assorted battle sound results, that’s just about it. You’ll not be shocked if I inform you that the narrative can also be customary fare, with static characters being displayed alongside what they must say. No shocks wherever to be seen.
A Dragon’s Curse: Unveiling the Story of Useless Dragons
The story is the same old sort of overblown excessive fantasy stuff we’ve come to know and love from KEMCO too. This time round we play as Will, a younger man whose father believed that dragons had been nonetheless alive and kicking, although each final one was hunted down and killed 100 years in the past. Even Will doesn’t imagine in dragons, till he occurs to fulfill one on high of a mountain, and whereas saving a younger girl, he receives a Dragonscar on his again.
As if that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, the Dragonscar continues to eat at Will’s life power, and the one technique to eliminate it’s to kill the dragon that put it there. There may be an upside although, because the Dragonscar additionally provides Will further powers, so not all dangerous! Can he be saved? Effectively, that’s right down to your decisions.
Line ’em as much as knock ’em down
Strategic Manoeuvres
If you happen to’ve ever performed a KEMCO sport, then you definately’ll be accustomed to how Useless Dragons performs as nicely. Nevertheless, it does include a few little wrinkles that stand out. The primary of those is the ”modern Rotation Battle System”, which mainly permits us to maneuver our characters round within the single file queue they kind. The positions within the queue are that of Vanguard, who’s on the head of the road, the Middleguard (ran out of concepts right here, I reckon) who’s, imagine it or not, within the center, and eventually the Rearguard, who’s on the again.
What this enables us to do is have the strongest or tankiest characters on the head of the road when an enemy assaults, as they take essentially the most injury. In the meantime, the entrance character additionally does essentially the most injury with bodily assaults, whereas the rear two positions are higher suited to magic customers, holding them out of hurt’s method. This really works rather well, and makes each battle fairly strategic, with the participant needing to consider when an enemy will assault and so forth.
Highly effective Summons and Strategic Skills
The second newish characteristic present in Useless Dragons is that of the Destroy Gauge, which when full permits Will (or different characters who you’ll meet in your journey) to make use of a strong summon kind assault for 3 turns, or till they die, whichever comes first. Choosing the proper talents to make use of when you could have helpers handy can flip the tide of the battle. On the plus aspect, when the Destroy Gauge assault is over, the remainder of your crew return absolutely healed…
The previous swaparoo
A Brutal Problem
The issue with Useless Dragons although is within the problem, sadly. Often, early stage KEMCO video games are simply steamrollered, with auto-battle settings being ample to defeat early foes. Useless Dragons is a completely completely different story, completely brutal, taking no prisoners. And this isn’t helped by the shortage of something resembling a tutorial.
For instance, I used to be actually combating the third space within the sport, left to poke round within the menu in an try and make some sort of distinction. It was right here the place I found a characteristic referred to as “Nurture” which lets you spend factors that you’ve earned in battles to improve varied stats of your characters, be that assault or magic, therapeutic and even particular assaults. Clearly that made an enormous distinction, even when there may be nonetheless a have to grind to get wherever.
And that’s the subject with Useless Dragons – it’s simply too arduous and rewards with so little that it seems like banging your head towards a brick wall. I’ve performed just about all of KEMCO’s Xbox releases, however can solely actually suggest this one to hardcore masochists.
Your Hyperlinks
Purchase Useless Dragons on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/video games/retailer/dead-dragons/9p9x6wh4rcl0
